Developer Salute – Valve

Few studios boast the
diversity of hit titles like Valve. The Half-Life series is
celebrated for its innovative gameplay, seamless narrative, and
cutting edge technology. Left 4 Dead accentuates teamwork like no
other game before it, and was voted the best cooperative game of all
time by the Game Informer staff. Portal is the rare puzzle game that
eases you gradually into increasingly complicated physics puzzles that always make you feel smart for solving them. It also pulls off the rare
accomplishment of mastering comedic timing, a much tougher feat in interactive
entertainment than it is in any other medium.

Over the years, the
studio's engineers have developed a reputation for creating some of
the best technology in the game industry. The Steam digital
distribution service had a rough start, but a series of smart
additions has made it the de facto store front for most PC gamers and
a hospitable environment for indie developers. The Source engine that
powered Half-Life 2 is still going strong, as evidenced by Respawn
Entertainment adopting it to build Titanfall (albeit with a highly
modified version).

Valve's legacy doesn't end
with its games or technology; it also has a lot to do with its
attitude. In an era where many publishers took a hostile approach toward modders, Valve embraced them wholeheartedly, giving a home to
Team Fortress creators Robin Walker, John Cook, and Ian Caughley.
Later, the company subsumed the popular Counter-Strike mod built off
the Half-Life engine.

The company also has a
sterling track record of attracting high-end talent. After seeing Kim
Swift's DigiPen project, the Narbacular Drop, Valve offered to
let her finish the game with the company's resources. The project eventually morphed
into Portal. Old Man Murray writers Erik Wolpaw and Chet
Faliszek joined Valve in 2005 and played a major role in nailing the
comedic tone for GLaDOS. Far Cry 2 creator Clint Hocking also
joined the team in recent years.

As we wait impatiently for news on Half-Life 3, Left 4 Dead 3, or perhaps even a new IP, it's worth taking a moment to thank Valve for all of its hard work over the years. Few studios have such a sterling track record, and that doesn't happen by accident. These games and technologies are the result of unwavering creative vision and a hell of a lot of hard work.